Chapter: 604
The wall of social status is towering high. If the difference in status between two people is significant, they cannot be considered equals, and the one with the higher status will unilaterally dominate the other. Such is the nature of a caste society.
However, if the statuses aren’t exactly equal but are somewhat similar, a new variable comes into play.
That variable is age.
‘Trixie can’t be treated lightly by the situation either.’
The Emperor—a wise ruler who has grabbed the decaying Empire by its collar and opened the door to a second golden age—and one of the five Dukes. If you were to ask who is higher, naturally, you’d point to the former.
But what if the latter Duke has lived for over a hundred years? What if this Duke had reigned as one long before the Emperor’s ascension, even before the Emperor was born?
If he is the eldest Duke, having served various Emperors and earning the respect of other Dukes, then no matter how strong the Emperor’s authority is, he cannot treat him casually. Even a commoner who has lived long gains respect, and that goes double for a Duke.
Thus, age is a crucial and significant factor in human relationships. When the age gap is overwhelming, even minor disparities can be effortlessly bridged.
“Wow! So pretty! Amazing!”
And that goes for the Crown Princess as well.
Having peacefully slumbered alongside Pedi, the Crown Princess suddenly opened her eyes, recharged, and spotted Trixie’s long hair nearby, immediately dashing toward it with sparkling eyes.
Of course, casually treating the Marquis or playing with Trixie’s hair like it’s a toy is impossible, even for the situation or the Emperor. But as the youngest of them all, the Crown Princess can get away with such actions, as everyone gives kids a bit of leeway.
Thanks to this, the Crown Princess could happily play with Trixie’s hair, simply because she’s still a little child.
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah!”
Trixie’s expression softened as the small child played with her hair.
Coincidentally, the Crown Princess’s hair is silver, reminiscent of Trixie’s triplet’s white locks, making it easy to associate them as mother and child.
“The smell! It’s nice!”
“Phew, that’s a relief.”
Trixie’s hair is spotlessly clean and exudes a cozy fragrance that doesn’t even have the slightest hint of dust, despite dragging along the floor.
To the Crown Princess, it must feel like a glimpse of a new world and a discovery of new toys. It’s no wonder she’s so captivated.
“Hehe.”
The Crown Princess rolled around energetically in Trixie’s hair, covering parts of it like a blanket.
“Your Highness, the Duke might feel uncomfortable.”
Amidst all this, the Head Maid watched with an anxious face and quickly squatted down in front of the Crown Princess.
The Head Maid couldn’t lift the heavenly Crown Princess without permission, and even if she could, it would be risky since the Crown Princess is entwined in Trixie’s hair. One wrong move, and Trixie’s hair could get pulled along too.
“This is fine. My children often play with my hair; what’s the issue with the Crown Princess?”
Trixie gently shook her head in response to the Head Maid’s concern.
As Trixie said, her hair had long since become a community resource for her children. Pedi would use it as a blanket to rest whenever she felt tired from roaming the mansion, and the crawling triplets often laid on top of Trixie instead of the bed.
Even Friedrich gazes at Trixie’s hair with eyes full of wonder every time he sees her. It’s almost like waving catnip in front of a cat.
“Wow?”
“Bwaaa…”
“Whee!”
Right now, the triplets are sitting on the floor, playfully wrapping around Trixie’s hair or nibbling at it.
So adding one more Crown Princess into the mix? No problem at all. Plus, the Crown Princess isn’t a complete stranger; she’s my niece!
“Hmm?”
“Pedi, come here!”
Finally, with Pedi waking up, the five little ones cozily nestled into Trixie’s hair.
It’s a sight you wouldn’t see anywhere else, and the Head Maid was left staring with her mouth agape.
“Daboo! Beddy! I’m here!”
Today again, the Crown Princess visited the mansion.
With a bright smile, twinkling eyes, and a clear voice, she embodies pure adorability, making anyone smile just by looking at her.
“Marcilio! Hello!”
“Yes, Your Highness. Welcome!”
I bowed slightly in response to the Crown Princess’s greeting as she happily dashed toward me.
So cute. Even stumbling over the word ‘Marcilio’ with her still awkward speech! My kids will surely be like that in a bit too, right?
‘Let’s hope they grow up as innocently as this.’
As I watched the Crown Princess gaze intently at my hair, I silently prayed for her to grow up untouched by the world’s darkness.
The late Second Prince, Dorgos, was once only a bright little child. But who knows what he went through during his upbringing to become so strangely twisted? I worried that if the Second Prince ascended to the throne, it might throw the already turbulent Empire back into chaos.
‘…If she takes after the Emperor, she should grow up just fine.’
I handed a lock of my hair to the Crown Princess while pushing away those negative thoughts.
Yes, the Crown Princess will grow up just fine. The situation, the Emperor, and Marquis Idrid all have. It’s Dorgos who turned out odd; the Crown Princess will definitely grow up normally.
If, by any chance, she started to act like the Second Prince—
‘Then I’ll have to discipline her sternly.’
To ensure that the Duke’s child grows up right.
For the sake of the Empire and the royal family my kids should serve.
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